Tonight I’m heading to the Fort Rd. pub for a Burn’s night supper. Scotch tasting and haggis eating is on the menu – along with lots of dancing to the amazing band Boys of St. James Gate. This will be the first time I’ve seen the boys since Jimmy’s wake and I’m looking forward to a great night of music and friends.

It amuses me to no end that my husband and former Philippines traveling companion, Paul, both wear my family tartan. Drew inherited my great-uncle Davy’s kilt, passed down from my father, and wears it proudly to many events. Paul came by his in a less traditional manner. A kilt in the tartan had been ordered by another gentleman who, upon seeing the tartan once the kilt was made, decided he didn’t like it. Paul, being ever the frugal Scot, purchased the kilt at a discounted price and occassionally rents it out when more robust individuals need a kilt for a special function.

I was hoping to be given my dad’s kilt when my mom visited over Christmas so Drew and I could both wear the same tartan when we’re piping. As that didn’t come to fruition I’ll be leaving some room in my suitcase when I head home in spring in the hopes of filling it before I fly back to Edmonton.

1. You must first learn to pronounce the city name, it is: ‘ED-MIN-TIN’.
2. The morning rush hour is from 5:00 a.m. to noon. The evening rush hour is from noon to 8:00 p.m. Friday’s rush hour starts on Thursday morning. 
3. The minimum acceptable speed on most freeways is 130 kph. On the QE2, you are expected to match the speed of the airplanes coming in for a landing at the airport. Anything less is considered ‘Wussy’.
4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Edmonton now has its own version of traffic rules. For example, cars/trucks with the loudest muffler go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second. However, in Southwest Edmonton, SUV-driving, cell phone-talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way.
5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended, cussed out, and possibly shot.
6. Never honk at anyone. Ever. Seriously. It’s another offense that can get you shot.
7. Exception to Rule #6: If you are the 4th car back from a light that has turned green, you must honk your horn to alert the vehicle first at the intersection that the light has changed. Vehicle 2 & 3 won’t shoot you as they are too busy trying to figure out how to ram the first vehicle through the intersection.
8. Road construction is permanent and continuous in Edmonton. Detour barrels are moved around during the middle of the night to make the next day’s driving a bit more exciting, but nothing ever gets finished, and more construction starts everyday.
9. Watch carefully for road hazards such as drunks, skunks, dogs, cats, deer, barrels, cones, cows, horses, mattresses, shredded tires, garbage, squirrels, rabbits, crows, and coyotes feeding on any of these items.
10. Get on Groat Road & you’ll find yourself on St Albert Trail; Calgary Trail, Gateway Boulevard, Highway 2 and the QE2 are the same  road. In the same manner, Whyte Avenue, Sherwood Park Freeway and Wye Road are the same road; Capilano Freeway, Wayne Gretzky Drive, Fort Road, 75 Street and 66 Street are also the same road; got it? Now don’t even start with The Anthony Henday/Ring Road thing!
11. If someone actually has their turn signal on, wave them to the shoulder immediately to let them know it has been ‘accidentally Activated.’
12. If you are in the left lane and only driving 110 in a 80-90 km zone, you are considered a road hazard and will be ‘flipped off’ accordingly. If you return the flip, you’ll be shot.
13. For winter driving, it is advisable to wear your parka, toque, fur lined mittens and mukluks. Make sure you have a shovel, food, candle and Blankets in the vehicle, as snow removal from the city streets is virtually non-existent until the spring thaw. You also may run out of gas waiting in Tim’s drive thru.

It’s a few weeks until exams and only a few short weeks after that before I begin my next semester. Since I’ve started getting the standard “what do you want for Christmas” emails and phone calls from friends and family, I’m posting my wish list early this year.

1. Gift certificates from Queen’s University Bookstore – so I can buy textbooks for my courses next semester
2. Gift certificates from Chapters.ca – so I can buy textbooks for my courses next semester
3. Gift certificates from Amazon.ca or Amazon.com – so I can buy textbooks for my courses next semester (do you see a trend here?)
4. Tic Tac Silvers – I can’t buy them in Canada and haven’t yet found a supplier who will ship here. Perhaps one of my lovely US based friends or family can see their way to sending me some *hint hint*
5. iTunes gift cards so I can load my iPod with things worth listening to while I’m writing papers or developing eLearning course sites.
6. I’m part of the problem and I bring nothing to the table t-shirts from T-Shirt Hell. They’ve changed the style/colours in the past year, but beggars can’t be choosers. Warning, if you’re easily offended DON’T go to this site. The shirts are damn funny though!
7. Charitable donations to any cause you feel appropriate. I’m always willing to forego gifts if you donate the money to a good cause. I recommend the Canadian Cancer Society, World Vision’s Alternate Gifts and Medecins Sans Frontiers/Doctors without Borders.

That’s it. Begging all done for the year. Now, how do I get the hubby to read (and remember) the list this year?

For those who have served and fallen – both during their service or after retirement – take a moment to remember their sacrifice.

In Remembrance of All Who Have Served to Protect Our Freedom

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast.
He loved to sit around the Legion telling stories of the past.
Of battles he had fought and the deeds that he had done.
In his exploits with his buddies they were heroes every one.
And though sometimes to his neighbors his tales became a joke,
all his Legion buddies listened, for they knew of what he spoke.
Now we’ll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away.
Now the world’s a little poorer; a common soldier died today.
He’ll not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife;
for he lived an uneventful, quiet, ordinary life.
He held a job and raised a family, calmly going his own way.
The world little notes his passing. A common soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state.
Thousands mourn their passing and proclaim that they were great.
One less common soldier goes unnoticed and unsung;
the schools will all stay open and the church bells won’t be rung.
Now – is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
by a person who breaks promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow, who in times of war and strife
goes off to serve his country and offer up his life?
It’s so easy to forget them for it was so long ago
that the “Old Bills” of our country went to battle – but we know –
That it was not the politicians, with their promises and ploys,
who won for us the freedom that our country now enjoys.
He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin;
but, his presence should remind us that we might need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier’s part
is to clean up all the messes that politicians love to start.
If we will not pay him honor while he’s away to hear the praise,
then at least let’s give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps a simple notice in the paper that would say:
Our country is in mourning; a common soldier died today.

Author Unknown